Retrotechtacular: Similarities of Wave Behavior

This installment of Retrotechtacular looks at a video lecture that is much more substantive than the usual fare. [Dr. J.N. Shive] was a researcher at Bell Labs at a time when just about every technological breakthrough was coming from that singular collection of minds.

This video, called Similarities of Wave Behavior, was made to help bring students up to speed on the principles of waves. To aid in the experience he invented the apparatus seen in front of him. It’s called a Shive Wave Machine (in the prelude to the video they call it the Shive Wave Generator). Having not taken any physics classes at University we hadn’t seen one of these devices before. It uses a series of horizontal rods connected to each other with torsion wire. When you upset the balance of one of the rods the wire conducts that energy to its neighbors as an energy wave. This turns out to be a perfect representation of wave action whether it be mechanical, electrical, or acoustic. The 28-minute video after the break makes extensive use of the device, and explains concepts in a way that is easy to understand for just about anyone.

22 thoughts on “Retrotechtacular: Similarities of Wave Behavior”

You don’t necessarily need to take university physics to see one of these. Many science museums have them on display too. I’m pretty sure the MoS in Boston, MA should still have one, at least they used to when I was a kid. :-)

The challenging part of this project will be precisely drilling the holes in the rods and anchoring the rods to the wire. The spacing of the rods will also be important as this will have an influence on the wave amplitude and propagation. I’m looking forward to the challenge! ﻿

This video is *not* an example of using just one’s mind to visualize. Instead, it’s an example of using *sticks and wires* to visualize. As for me, I’m don’t feel lax when I use Mathematica instead of sticks and wires. Tools is tools.

90% of my electrical engineering teachers couldn’t teach this in a semester, what this guy explains in 30 mins.

They need to consolidate this type of teaching styles and knowledge and teach everyone the same way. Today we have a convoluted mess of teachers, half of whom can’t get the simplest ideas across. Only the students lose. When I taught in college, I felt ashamed if at least 90% of my students didn’t understand the concept being taught.